Just a Skyrim fanfic: Extended cut

A tale of two vampires

(After Leonidas and Serana get back from the soul cairn, they glide away from the castle)

Leonidas: How do you feel, now that you've seen your mother again? Better or worse?

Serana: I don't know... Maybe a bit of both. To be honest, I didn't even know if we'd make it out of there in one piece. From what I knew about the soul cairn... I... was scared that the ideal masters might do anything. Trap us there, for one. I wouldn't like being a hostage for eternity

Leonidas: Hey, don't worry. We're fine. I'd never let anything bad happen to either of us

Serana: I know

(There is silence for a moment)

Serana: It's been.... I don't even know how long since I've felt like I was in the company of someone who actually cares about what happens to me. Thank you, so much. I needed that

Leonidas: Anytime

(Serana hugs Leonidas, who returns the gesture)

Serana: What do we need to do next?

Leonidas: I need to read the scroll. But to do it, I'll need a kind of "second sight". And I think I know how

Serana: How?

Leonidas: During my studies of Tamrielic history when I was a boy, I encountered something I found rather fascinating. Scattered across Tamriel are secluded locations known only as ancestor glades. There's one here in Skyrim, actually. It's in the pine forest. Performing the ritual of the ancestor moth within the glade should provide the answers we seek

Serana: Explain this ritual

Leonidas: It's not sacrilegious or satanic, if that's what you're going to ask. It involves carefully removing the bark from a canticle tree, which will in turn attract ancestor moths. Once enough of the moths are following, they'll provide the second sight needed to decipher the scroll

Serana: And I suppose getting the bark will be easy?

Leonidas: Yes, with a bit of "know how".  In keeping with the tradition, one must use a specific tool in the ancestor glade. An implement known as a draw knife. Every moth priest is taught this ritual, but few ever get the chance to perform it

Serana: Were you a moth priest?

Leonidas: No. I just learned how to do this from reading books. Lots and lots of books. Follow me. Lets put your gliding skills to the test

(Leonidas jumps off the edge of a cliff and starts gliding. Serana follows)

(She struggles to keep up with Leonidas's speed, but manages to maintain line of sight)

(They both touch down in front of a cave in the pine forest)

Leonidas: Impressive. Your gliding skills have improved greatly

(Leonidas and Serana head inside the ancestor's glade, and they find a bunch of overgrown plants and fallen trees)

Serana: Hmph... not very impressive, is it? If this ends up being a wasted trip, you're going to owe me a drink

Leonidas: As much as I would love to, you need to simply look farther. FUS RO DAH!

(Leonidas force shouts some debris out of the way, and they go through a tunnel, revealing an astonishing clearing with beautiful plants, breathtaking waterfalls, and glimmering sunshine)

Serana: Wow... Look at this place. No one's been here in centuries. I doubt there's any other place like it in Skyrim. It's so beautiful

Leonidas: These groves are all over Tamriel, if you know where to look